Royal Wedding Fever Reaches Australia

In the outer reaches of the remaining British empire, Australia, Royal Wedding excitement is at a fever pitch today.

As the festivities kick off, wedding central appears to be the Sydney harbor launching off point of Circular Quay — set between the iconic Opera House and old Sydney Rocks neighborhood. Braving strong winds and light rain, hundreds have come down to the quay Friday to watch the festivities on a big screen and mingle with fellow wedding watchers. British flags surround the viewing pit, while the Sydney Morning Herald and others have sponsored free give-aways around the area.

Even Arm & Hammer has gotten in on the act, with an actor dressed as a Grenadier Guard handing out toothpaste to all that come to the area.

“It’s close to the bars, that’s a good enough selling point for me to come down here,” said Sydney resident Jennifer Collins, braving the cold — well, cold for Sydney, with temperatures around 60 degrees.

Australia’s older residents — many of whom came to Australia thanks to an assistance package offered by the local government after the Second World War to entice immigrants — have largely set their plans on watching at the roughly 1500 Returned and Services League, or RSL sub-branches throughout Australia. Many of these “ten pound poms,” as they are more commonly called, have resisted efforts to change the country’s flag or become a republic. Many have fought under the union flag.

Even so, some of the more recent to touch down in Australia haven’t cleared their calendar for the wedding.

Darren O’Connor, who moved from south London to the Kilaben Bay on Lake Macquarie in New South Wales just six months ago, is planning to be in a campervan when Ms. Middleton says “I will”.

“It doesn’t mean much to me at all, but my Australian-born wife is gutted that we’re not there in London,” said the graphic designer.